palmer worm

noun

1. the hairy black and white caterpillar of the goldtail moth

Word History and Origins

Origin of palmer worm¹

C16: originally applied to various destructive caterpillars of migratory habits

Example Sentences

Chætochilus pometellus, (Harris), is commonly called the Palmer-worm.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jewish Bible retains the reading of palmer-worm, but affixes the mark of doubt, as it does to the canker-worm.

From Project Gutenberg

The first is in Joel i. 4: "That which the palmer-worm hath left, hath the locust eaten."

From Project Gutenberg